How Stevie Wonder achieved R&B dominance with In Square Circle
In short: Released in September 1985, In Square Circle marked a pivot toward concise, danceable melodies. While some critics found it less experimental than his sprawling earlier works, the album dominated the charts, proving that even a master of polyrhythmic complexity could master the art of the pop hit.
Released on Tamla Records in September 1985, In Square Circle represents the twentieth studio album by Stevie Wonder. This release saw major commercial triumph, occupying the top spot on the US Billboard Top R&B Albums chart for 12 weeks and securing positions within the top five of both the US Billboard 200 and the UK Pop Albums charts. Its popularity was driven by singles such as 'Part-Time Lover', which reached number one, and 'Go Home', which hit number ten.
Critical reception for the album was varied, reflecting the complexity of Wonder's musical evolution. Jon Pareles of Rolling Stone praised the artist's 'no-sweat audio perfectionism' and unforced optimism. However, Robert Christgau of the Village Voice noted that while the album was pleasant, it lacked the heights of previous works like Talking Book, describing it as 'polyrhythmic pop rather than polyrhythmic rock.' Similarly, RJ Smith of Spin suggested the album felt like a 'pleasant muttering' that lacked the energy of Wonder's stage persona.
Despite these critiques, the album was a technical and award-winning achievement. Stephen Holden of the New York Times observed that the record combined 'surging chromatic melodies' and 'churning synthesized instrumentation,' noting it was more concise and danceable than his 1980 release, Hotter Than July. The album's impact was cemented when Wonder won a Grammy for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for his work on the record. The era was further highlighted by a 1986 Grammy performance of 'Go Home' featuring Thomas Dolby, Herbie Hancock, and Howard Jones.
The album's legacy is often viewed through the lens of its hits versus its depth. While 'Part-Time Lover' became the definitive tune for many, some critics, like Ron Wynn of AllMusic, argued that tracks like 'Overjoyed' and 'I Love You Too Much' were actually superior to the lead single.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: In Square Circle
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